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| Other sites of interest |
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 Ucupe
24
miles (39 km) south of
Chiclayo, driving
along the northern
Pan-American Highway,
and very close to the
village of Zaña, we
reach Ucupe. Here we
find a very impressive
polychromatic mural
representing twelve
individuals bedecked
with feather
headdresses and false
wings from the classic
Lambayeque period, 8th
century, which
originally decorated
the frontispiece of a huaca,
or sacred pyramid. The
mural is in excellent
condition.
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The
most important pre-Columbian cultures in
northern Peru flourished in the Lambayeque
area. Among them, the Moche culture, between
the1st and 7th centuries A.D., was
unquestionably the most magnificent one. The
great pyramids of Túcume, the sanctuaries,
the Sicán stepped ramps and the Sipán tombs
of Moche dignitaries are only examples of the
archaeological treasures you will be able to
admire when you visit this area. You are sure
to marvel at the samples of their metalwork,
such as the gold funeral masks.
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Access |
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Chiclayo,
capital of the Lambayeque department, is
located some 478 miles (770 km) north of Lima
and about 316 miles (509 km) south of the
border with Ecuador. Its airport, "José
Quiñones Gonzales" is just 5 minutes
from downtown Chiclayo. If you travel by land
you’ll be pleased to know that the bus
terminals are located very close to the
downtown area.
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Tourist Attractions |
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 Huaca
Rajada
Huaca
Rajada comprises two pyramids and a platform
where two of the most famous pre-Columbian
tombs were found intact: that of the Lord of
Sipán and that of his ancestor, called the
Old Lord of Sipán, who ruled over the valley
during the 2nd and 3rd centuries of our era.
The multileveled funeral chambers contained
fully clothed skeletons bedecked with gold
jewelry, such as the great pectoral, nose
ornaments, bracelets and the scepter, symbol
of power, used at that time. Sipán is located
17 miles (28 km) east of the city of Chiclayo.
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 Túcume
Located
20 miles (33 km) northeast of Chiclayo,
Túcume was the last capital of the Lambayeque
Kingdom. At its center, we find Cerro
Purgatorio, the sacred mountain that serves as
a lookout. Among its top attractions are the
Túcume large constructions that include 26
monumental edifices built with thousands of
sun-dried mud bricks. Huaca Larga is the
largest building, 2 128 feet (700 meters)
long, 851 feet (280 m) wide and 91 feet (30 m)
high. It is the largest adobe structure in
South America.
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 Sicán,
the Pómac Forest
The
Batán Grande Interpretation Center is located
22 miles (36 km) northeast of Chiclayo, at the
entrance of the cultural center of Sicán,
situated right in the middle of the Pómac
forest. Visitors to the center may have lunch
there and rent horses to tour the complex
containing 20 pyramids and the Pómac forest,
covering an area of 83 square miles (134 km2).
The forest is the habitat of species like the
anteater, squirrels, iguanas, skunks, snakes
and birds, among others.
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 Brüning
Archaeological Museum
Opened
in 1966, the museum is located two blocks away
from the main square of Lambayeque. In its
gardens we find the statue of Naylamp, founder
of the dynasty of the Lambayeque kings. The
interior of the main building is a sequence of
four levels and its corridors and exhibition
halls display over 1 400 archaeological
artifacts representing the legacy of the
Lambayeque, Moche, Chavín and Inca cultures,
among others.
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 Royal
Tombs of Sipán Museum
This
modern building in the shape of a pyramid
shelters true masterpieces of Moche art and
guards the remains of the ancient ruler of
Sipán, who has toured the world in prior
exhibitions. Access to the museum is gained
along a 212 feet (70 meter)-long ramp,
simulating the ascent of Moche inhabitants to
a temple of worship. The reconstructed main
tomb containing the authentic bone remains is
found on the first floor. The second floor
displays gold, silver and copper ornaments of
the Lord of Sipán. The first gold object, a
rattle bearing a representation of the Aia
Apaec deity, can be found on the third floor.
The official opening of the museum is slated
for the month of August.
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